Wednesday, March 23, 2011

really. bad. math

Awhile ago I came up with this really stupid great plan to make a King size quilt for my bed.

So I decided on this bowtie design. I figured I needed 168 blocks to make it 104" x 90"…and each block has four smaller blocks in it…and each smaller block contains 6 little squares (including the little corner squares). So I figured to make this whole quilt I’ll have to cut 1008 little squares . Totally do-able.

But then as I was lying awake in bed listening to my husband snore I realized…I’ll actually need 4032 little squares!!!!!!! I forgot to times that 1008 by 4. Yuck. And instead of the 3 yards of white fabric I bought I’ll need 6 yards. So much for my quick project!

I can't tell you how many times I've done that. It kills me. I usually end up making a smaller quilt...but if it's a pattern or fabric I love, i just have to bite the bullet and buy more. I feel your pain. Hey, at least it's a beautiful quilt, no matter the size!

Lovely pattern, whatever size it turns out. I always triple-check my quilt math because oh, those errors! Last time I aimed for king size the project became a UFO for 10 years (!), then got resized to a lap quilt. Still have lots of bits and partial blocks in the "orphans and leftovers" bin, waiting to be put to use.

...but king-sized beds need quilty love too! Just zip that rotary cutter across that fabric a few more times. Says the gal who did the same thing and is struggling to get a quilt on her king-sized bed. You can do this and I'll cheer you on! That'll be a fabulous quilt! I hasve thoughts like that too while my husband sleeps peacefully.

Oh bless your heart. :o)I have done similar. Something goofy -When I am in the shower, I write on the shower door (steamed up) with my finger, and do the math. Silly huh?! There are days where I feel like I am in a math class all over again. :o)

I'm sorry. I have a king sized quilt for my bed simmering in the back of my mind. I actually have all of the materials to get the quilt top done. But I keep getting caught on making things for other people (sister's wedding, sister-in-law's baby)! I would like to say I'll have the quilt top done by the end of this year, but I doubt it!

I totally understand! I am just thinking out the measurements for a baby quilt though. LOL!I had it all drawn out with the measurements but decided to sleep on it, next day I realized my math was off. So glad that I didn't cut all my background fabric. Your quilt is going to be wonderful! I have that same pattern on my TO DO list.

I'm so glad that experienced, seasoned quilters make simple math miscalculations. When I made one of my first quilts I made 12" square which I added a 3" sashing strip to each side. I'm thinking 12 + 3 = 15. Imagine my surprise when my gargantuan quilt was much bigger than I had planned. Duh! 12 + 3 one EACH side = 18 inch squares.

your quilt will be amazing! I too and a crazy lady of the king size quilt kind! I started on my journey and went omg I need an crazy amount of squares lol but it will be an heirloom in the end! well it better be lol.mines made up of little half triangles, all varying fabricshttp://ravenscauldron.blogspot.com/2011/03/quilt-in-making-and-emerald-alice.htmlpop on over and see my crazy mess lolx Courtney

Oh dear! do you have one of these cutting rulers? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEqU4TFIlHk

I have one that I borrowed from my mom. i loved it so much i had to buy her another one so i could keep it! you can stack several strips on top of each other, and line up another stack of strips above it and boom-boom-boom, hundreds of squares!

My husband always laughs at me when I mess up on math (and I say always because it happens a lot!). But then he says I wish woodworking was as easy to fix as quilting when you make a mistake...and then I feel better! Keep going!!! It looks great!

"I'll make a pillow for his birthday. Let's see, I'll cut 1 1/2" squares, it should only be a hundred or so. Oh, wait- 400 squares??"I was committed... in so many ways. This "quick little project" turned into a three year late gift. HA!

I am so with you on the math thing. I start out with what I think I need, then, something always happens. I think the quilt fairy comes at night and moves all my blocks around. That's my story and I am sticking with it. lolYour quilt is going to be a show stopper. Love it.

I want to make a quilt for my CA King bed too. I haven't figured things out yet. I will have a fat quarter bundle and 4 charm packs. That's the start. The planning comes next. I've been looking at paint colors instead! I'd better get to work. Your quilt is going to look beautiful! Keep up the good work.

Oh, you are scaring me - my very first "real bed" quilt is gonna be a king size...and it's going to be Moonglow, by Jinny Beyer. It wants 27 different colors, and I have NO idea how many pieces and parts that translates to and I'm scared to even look. All I know is it's gonna be like eating an elephant - one bite at a time! I have all but the backing, binding & 6.5 yards of black.....maybe I'm procrastinating, but I'm not looking too hard for that black :)

Amazing the math problems that are worked out while someone beside you is snoring. They should play zzzzz... tapes during math tests. I never calculate the number of pieces until AFTER the quilt is all done!

You lost me when you hit the quadruple digits. I wouldn't attempt a project that required me cutting out 1,000 of anything, so for even attempting this and living to talk about it, you are my own personal hero.

I loved this blog. I am currently making a blanket for my couch. You are giving a lot of work but will be beautiful. But I love it even make necessaires. Eusa www.euemeuspaninhos.blogspot.com maciel.eusa @ yahoo.com.br